I recently had to travel to Totnes for my mum’s funeral. As someone who uses a rollator, travelling can be challenging. Unfortunately, on this occasion, the only accessible space on the train was already taken. I was forced to use a regular carriage, making it impossible to easily navigate the narrow aisle. I had to awkwardly hurl myself into the back seat, while my partner had to place my rollator in the corridor, posing both an inconvenience and a safety hazard for other passengers.

This experience has highlighted a significant issue faced by many people with mobility aids across the UK. Trains with just one wheelchair space aren’t enough to meet the needs of passengers like me. While I was fortunate to book the wheelchair space on my return journey, it came with its own set of challenges, including being at the far end of the platform, making access difficult.

This issue isn't unique to me; many disabled passengers face similar struggles daily. According to the Office of Rail and Road, over 14 million journeys are taken annually by rail passengers who say they have a disability in England alone. Many of these passengers face the frustrating and isolating barrier of limited and inadequate wheelchair spaces on trains.

In other countries they have a minimum of 2 accessible spaces so why are we treated as second class citizens?

We urge train companies and regulatory bodies in the UK to take immediate action to make public transportation genuinely accessible. We propose that every train is required to have at least two wheelchair spaces, ensuring the needs of all passengers are met, and offering a more dignified and safe travel experience.

Join me in calling on train companies to implement this essential change so that travelling by train can become more inclusive and accessible for everyone. Your signature can make a difference by demanding equal access and ensuring that no one has to face the same difficulties I did. Please sign this petition to require all trains to have more than one wheelchair space.